EQAO Results for the
Primary (Grades 1-3)/Junior (Grades 4-6) Assessments
Media Release
September 17, 2009
In May and June 2009 the Education Quality and Assessment Office (EQAO) conducted its annual Grade 3 and 6 assessments in every publicly funded Ontario elementary school. In the Durham District School Board (DDSB), a total of 4,449 students from 320 classes at 105 schools participated in the primary (Grades 1-3) assessment. A total of 4,954 students from 318 classes at 105 schools participated in the junior (Grade 4-6) assessment.
EQAO reports on student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics using a four-level scale (levels one through four). This scale is based on the Ontario curriculum Grades one through eight and sets level three as the provincial standard. The assessments are designed to provide a snapshot of students' learning skills and, according to the EQAO, the purpose of the assessments is to improve teaching and learning, not to compare schools.
Achievement Over Time
Over the past five years, Durham District School Board's results have increased 2 per cent in reading; nine per cent in writing and 7 per cent in mathematics at the primary level. The junior level results have shown similar gains with an increase of 9 per cent in reading, 9 per cent in writing and 2 per cent in mathematics, over the past five years.
"The Durham District School Board’s EQAO results in Grades 3 and 6 have demonstrated consistent improvement as we are closing the achievement gap and now exceeding the provincial results in four of six areas of assessment,” says Luigia Ayotte, superintendent of education/programs services/staff development. "It’s important to note that the learning and gains that have occurred ensure our students have a solid foundation for future achievement,” she adds.
The Durham District School Board continues to support a standards-driven, assessment-based culture that focuses professional development and resources on academic success for all students. While results are considered a snapshot in time, the Grade three assessment is used to build effective instructional strategies throughout the primary division from kindergarten through Grade 3. The Grade 6 assessment helps develop teaching tools and resources from Grades three onward.
Overall Results - All Students
The overall primary achievement results at or above the provincial standard in 2008-2009 were 63 per cent in reading, 69 per cent in writing and 73 per cent in mathematics. The provincial results for Grade three were 61 per cent in reading, 68 per cent in writing and 70 per cent in mathematics. For DDSB students, the overall achievement results for junior level students at or above the provincial standard for 2008-2009 were 72 per cent in reading, 66 per cent in writing and 62 per cent in mathematics. The provincial results for the junior level were 69 per cent in reading, 67 per cent in writing and 63 per cent in mathematics. This data represents all students and includes non-exempted students who did not complete any part of the assessment due to absence or for medical or other reasons and students who are formally exempted from parts of or the whole assessment.
Percentage of Participating
Students At or Above the Provincial Standard
|
Primary |
Reading |
Writing |
Math
|
| Board |
63% |
69% |
73% |
| Provincial |
61%
|
68%
|
70% |
|
Junior |
Reading |
Writing |
Math
|
| Board |
72% |
66% |
62% |
| Provincial |
69% |
67% |
63% |
Results include participating students only and excludes exempted students and students for whom there is no data.
Contextual InformationIn the primary assessment, there were significantly more girls than boys at the provincial standard in reading (+8%) and writing (+16%). In mathematics, there was only two per cent more girls than boys at the provincial standard. In the junior assessment, there were significantly more girls at the provincial standard than boys in reading (+10%), writing (+21%) and a four per cent difference in mathematics.
The Board provides quality training and resources to all schools, which focus on improving student achievement in literacy and numeracy. Schools take a major leadership role in being accountable for the development and implementation of their own improvement plans, which are linked to Durham Directions and to the Board's strategic plan.
Individual Student Reports
The week of September 21-25, 2009, all parents/guardians will receive an Individual Student Report about their child's results from this year's assessment. School reports detailing individual school results are available on the Board's Website, www.durham.edu.on.ca or on the EQAO Website, www.eqao.com. A summary of school-by-school results is attached. All information is current as of September 16, 2009. The next EQAO assessment for Grade 3 students will take place between June 8-10, 2010 and the Grade 6 assessment will take place between June 1-3, 2010.
Please see the attached Primary
(Grades 1-3) or the Junior
(Grades 4-6) chart for school-by-school results. More detailed information
regarding Board and school-by-school results can be found at www.durham.edu.on.ca or on the EQAO site www.eqao.com.
The Durham District School Board is responsible for public education in
the rural settings of Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships and the urban
settings of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa. The Board employs more
than 7,000 teaching and educational services staff. With 136 elementary
and secondary schools and learning centres, the Board accommodates more
than 70,740 regular day students and thousands more who take advantage
of a wide variety of continuing education and adult credit courses. More
information can be found on the Board's Website at www.durham.edu.on.ca.
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For more information,
please contact:
Luigia Ayotte
Superintendent of Education/Program Services/Staff Development
Durham District School Board
phone: 905-666-6356